One of the best/worst things about being a Star Wars fan is the merchandise. There’s just so much of it. You can try and avoid it, tell yourself you aren’t going to buy it, but eventually someone is going to make that exact piece you’ve always dreamed about and you have to have it. That’s because, in one of the most famous business deals ever, George Lucas turned down a significant chunk of his salary on the original film in exchange for rights to any Star Wars sequels and merchandising. Before the movie came out, that seemed like a no-brainer for the studio. This movie was never making money. Now, over 30 years removed, merchandise makes way more money than the movies, to the tune of billions of dollars.

Toys are at the center of that empire of Star Wars merchandise. Toys you almost certainly owned as a child and beat into submission as you saved the world time and time again. Toys now sold in specialty shops for so much money you kick yourself for destroying them in your childhood. And when there’s a topic so specific yet so universal and fun, it’s bound to prompt a documentary.

Enter director Brian Stillman and a film called Plastic Galaxy, which “explores the groundbreaking and breathtaking world of Star Wars toys. Through interviews with former Kenner employees, experts, authors, and collectors, it looks at the toys’ history, their influence, and the fond and fervent feelings they elicit today.” Um, yes please.

The film is currently streaming exclusive on Vimeo. Below, watch a trailer and learn more. Read More »

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The popularity and cultural significance of Star Wars is largely derived from its merchandising. That’s a fact. George Lucas definitely crafted a fantastic trilogy of movies but the initial popularity, eventual collectibility and amount of money derived from little plastic men has helped facilitate everything that came after it. Seems like an interesting story, no?

Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys is an upcoming documentary that not only tells that story, but attempts to delve into the psyche of a person who has spend years and years searching for, as well as thousands upon thousands of dollars buying, Star Wars toys. (*Raises hand in shame*)

Directed by Brian Stillman, the documentary will be finished and available for purchase later this year. To get people excited, a short teaser trailer has been released. Check it out below. Read More »